Alisia Pan, Contributing Photographer

For new Yale students who haven’t yet found their footing on Yale campus, it can be challenging to find the right spaces to pursue their interests and hobbies. Navigating the abundance of opportunities and organizations at Yale can be especially dizzying. 

If you’re a new Yalie interested in experiencing the school’s theater opportunities, you’re in luck. Here is a Rosetta Stone of the Yale theater scene — from a beat reporter who has covered undergraduate performances for the past year.

Yale theater can generally be split into four broad categories: senior thesis projects, Dramat productions, residential college-funded shows and opera. 

A testament to Yale’s talent: senior thesis projects 

Students who major in Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies — TAPS — and graduate students at the School of Drama are required to participate in and produce a senior thesis project. 

The School of Drama is among the top drama schools in the country, educating stage titans such as Angela Bassett, Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyong’o, Henry Winkler and Meryl Streep. The caliber of these shows reflects the intense performance theory and dramaturgical thinking that these students have honed for years. 

These shows are also a testament to the open nature of the Yale curriculum, as some of these thesis projects are the culmination of multiple majors and disciplines. 

Last year, I reported on three senior thesis projects — “Sanctuary City,” “Cleansed” and “Alice by Heart.” Often with a smaller cast, these shows are usually more dramatic and interpretive in nature — allowing the actors, as well as the production team, the chance to experiment and demonstrate their range.

“Sanctuary City” premiered as a joint senior thesis project for the TAPS and the ethnicity, race and migration majors and was prepared by David DeRuiter ’24 and Lauren Marut ’25. 

This production tells the story of an unnamed boy and girl as they grapple with the uncertainty of their futures. As undocumented immigrants, the boy and girl face daunting trials and choices not typically represented in coming-of-age stories. 

“A lot of my senior thesis research explores this question of authenticity,” said Marut. “[When] I was younger, being able to go into a theater and see a woman who looked like me was the biggest kind of affirmation to me. And the work that I hope to do moving forward in life involves creating that experience for other people … to see their communities on stage.”

Yale’s mini Broadway: The Dramat 

Interested in theater but don’t know how or where to start? Join the Dramat. 

This completely student-run theater organization offers a range of opportunities — from stagecraft to sound design work — and caters to various levels. Becoming a formal member of the Dramat also comes with perks: ticket privileges, access to exclusive events and a voice in the operations of some of the biggest student shows, like its Fall Mainstage Show.

“The Dramat is the second oldest collegiate theater group in the country and one of the only that functions as an entirely student-run production company,” said Rhayna Poulin ’25, president of the Dramat. “Being a member and working on our shows is a unique opportunity in the Yale theater space and just in college theater in general.” 

With abundant resources and many helping hands, Dramat productions tend to be some of the highest-technical quality on campus. For their two mainstage productions, the organization hires professional directors, technicians, designers and set builders who work collaboratively with the undergraduate cast. 

The Dramat also has the privilege of performing in the University Theater — a Broadway-like venue they share exclusively with the DGSD — as well as the Iseman Theater and Yale Repertory Theater spaces.

With more than 120 years of history, the Dramat is an established presence in the Yale arts community. Everyone knows when the Dramat is putting on a show, while college shows tend to be a bit more underground — literally and figuratively. 

Diamonds in the rough: residential college theater productions 

While thesis shows and Dramat productions undergo a thorough pitching and vetting system,  residential college shows can be put on by anyone. Did you write a play in your English class?  Do you and your best friend want to put on a two-man show of “Hamilton”? Pursue your theater dreams, both big and small, through your ResCo!

All fourteen residential colleges offer funding opportunities through the Creative and Performing Arts, or CPA, Awards, which support on-campus musical, theatrical, film or visual arts endeavors. Applications for CPA funding open twice a year; the deadline for the fall 2024 application cycle closes on Sept. 8. 

From my experience, residential college theater productions can be a hit-or-miss experience.  Most of these shows are true passion projects — some of which have been the best shows I’ve seen at Yale. 

But, the tighter budget constraints can present some challenges for the production. Additionally, as these shows aren’t as well advertised as Dramat productions, there may be a smaller pool of talent to choose from. 

If you’re looking to stretch your acting muscles, I highly recommend auditioning for a student show. Information about applying for CPA funding and auditioning for these upcoming shows can be found on the Yale College Arts page.

Ticket information can also be found on this page; since these theater spaces are smaller, tickets sell out very fast.

Yale’s hidden gem: the Opera Theater

The final and most niche area of theater at Yale is the opera. 

The Opera Theater of Yale College — OTYC — is an undergraduate opera company that is also run entirely by students. 

Even though I am an Arts reporter, these shows often fly over my head. I rely religiously on subtitles, so when a single syllable is stretched out over eight notes, it can be difficult to comprehend the content of what is being sung. 

However, even if I can’t understand the musical dialogue, the emotional content of the show and the quality of the actors more than compensate for it.

In fact, these shows are exceptional and speak highly to the quality of talent found in every pocket of this school. 

“Whether you’re a singer, instrumentalist, designer, director, dramaturg, or interested audience member, there’s a place for you in OTYC — no experience necessary!” wrote Sophie Dvorak ’25, artistic director of the OTYC, in an email to the News. “Storytelling through music is an essential and enrapturing part of life, and OTYC is passionate about working with students of all backgrounds in order to share what makes opera so special.” 

If you’re feeling like trying something new, the opera is the place to go. You will immediately feel superior to your peers, and hopefully, you’ll enjoy it too.

For budding theater fans to passionate theatermakers, Yale offers an encouraging ecosystem to explore this art form. Take it from Cameron Nye ’27, a sophomore who has acted in productions their first year and described their Yale theater experience as “overwhelmingly positive.” 

“Everyone is so passionate about what they do, it’s super inspiring. I’ve met some of my closest friends through the shows I’ve done here,” Nye said. “I can’t wait to do more.”

Located at 222 York St., the University Theatre is the biggest performing space for theater productions on Yale’s campus.